| Abstract | A possible cause of motor fluctuations in patients with Parkinson disease is the erratic drug absorption. In a randomized double-blind double-dummy study of melevodopa (levodopa methyl ester), a highly soluble levodopa pro-drug plus carbidopa (CHF 1512) was compared to a standard formulation of levodopa/carbidopa (LD/CD) in 74 fluctuating Parkinson disease patients. The first afternoon, LD/CD tablet was substituted with an equimolar dose of CHF 1512. The study lasted 4 weeks and was followed by an 8-week (optional) open phase. The primary efficacy variable was latency to "on." Patients randomized to receive CHF 1512 had a significative shorter latency to "on" than those randomized to LD/CD and a similar "on" duration. The safety profile of CHF 1512 was also comparable with LD/CD. |
| Authors | Fabrizio Stocchi, Laura Fabbri, Laszlo Vecsei, Anna Krygowska-Wajs, Piero Alessandro Monici Preti, Stefano A Ruggieri
(Affiliation: Institute of Neurology, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy. stocchi at sanraffaele.it)
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| Journal | Clinical neuropharmacology
(Clin Neuropharmacol)
2007 Jan-Feb
Vol. 30
Issue 1
Pg. 18-24
ISSN: 0362-5664 United States |
| PMID | 17272966
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
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| Chemical References |
- Antiparkinson Agents
- Drug Combinations
- Levodopa
- Carbidopa
- levodopa methyl ester
|
| Topics |
- Activities of Daily Living
- Aged
- Antiparkinson Agents
- Carbidopa
(therapeutic use)
- Double-Blind Method
- Drug Administration Schedule
- Drug Combinations
- Female
- Humans
- Levodopa
(analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
- Male
- Motor Activity
(drug effects)
- Motor Skills Disorders
(etiology, prevention & control)
- Nausea
(chemically induced)
- Parkinson Disease
(complications, drug therapy)
|
